They rely on paper files now, but a new city grant will pay for handheld devices that will speed up inspection results.

“Our inspections will be streamlined, maximizing the number of inspections we complete,” said Dr. Oxiris Barbot, Baltimore City Health Commissioner.

It’s part of the city’s $700,000 awarded as innovation grants to upgrade the technology systems.

“Each of these new investments will change the way the city does business, by investing in smart technology that will reduce costs and improve city services over the long term,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

Recipients include the Department of Housing, which will automate building plan reviews and reduce wait times by 20 percent.

The Health Department will upgrade their record keeping for disease control, promising more than $1 million in new yearly revenue.

The city will also modernize its restaurant inspections. Inspection results will be posted to the web, so the public can see how restaurants rate before visiting.

The mayor says the changes will save the city more than $250,000 each year.

The restaurant inspection results will be on the city website by next year.